Auditions for New Students

Auditions for new and transfer students who plan to begin classes in Fall 2027 will be held live on the Marywood University campus.

Departmental Auditions

During the audition process, there will be opportunities to perform for our audition committee and meet members of our faculty. Additional arrangements may be made to meet with academic advisors and current Marywood music and theatre students.

2026-2027 Audition Dates (all Saturdays)

December 5: Instrumentalists 
December 12: Vocalists 
January 9: Instrumentalists 
January 16: Vocalists & Musical Theatre 
January 23: Instrumentalists 
January 30: Vocalists 
February 13: Instrumentalists* 
February 20: Vocalists & Musical Theatre* 
February 27: Vocalists, Musical Theatre, and Instrumentalists 

*February 13 and 20 will be full-day audition/workshop days that will include the following components:

9:30-12:30: Auditions
12:45-1:45: Complimentary lunch with prospective students and their families
2:00-2:45: Q&A sessions with current students
2:45-4:15: Optional sample vocal or instrumental lessons with members of our faculty

AUDITION REGISTRATION »

Important Contacts

For questions about auditions, please contact:

        Sophie Till - Music Programs Coordinator, Music Department (sophietill@maryu.marywood.edu)

If you have questions about our programs, please contact any of our program directors via email:  

Dr. Lindsey Wotanis – Director, School of Communication (llwotanis@maryu.marywood.edu)

Stephen Garrison - Director, Insalaco School of Visual and Performing Arts (sgarrison@maryu.marywood.edu)

Dr. Suzanne Galella - Director, School of Education (sgalella@maryu.marywood.edu)

Undergraduate & Transfer Students

Acceptance by the University is required before auditioning. 

• Apply to University. 
• Apply for financial aid.
• For talent scholarship consideration, auditions must be completed by March 1.
• Transfer students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in music courses at Marywood. Transfer students in education must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for acceptance.

Accompaniment

A pianist will be provided for vocal auditions.

Instrumental applicants should plan to perform unaccompanied.

Graduate Students 

Acceptance by the University is required before auditioning. 

• Apply to University. 
• Apply for financial aid. 
• Transfer students information here

Accompaniment 

Instrumental applicants should plan to perform unaccompanied.

General Guidelines for All Auditions

For Musical Arts

• BA Arts Administration/Music
• BM Music Education; Music Therapy; Music Performance

Perform two contrasting works demonstrating technical skills and musicianship (see below for suggested repertoire by instrument), and sight-read on your major instrument. Memorization of vocal audition pieces is strongly recommended.

• MA Music Education 

Perform two contrasting works and sight-read on your major instrument. Demonstrate fundamental piano, aural, and theory skills.

For Theatre Arts 

Musical theatre majors must audition in voice, acting, and dance.

Prospective theatre, theatre education, and arts administration (theatre) majors should contact Dr. Lindsey Wotanis to arrange an interview.

Voice (for Musical Theatre Majors)

Musical theatre applicants should perform two contrasting musical theatre selections, or one classical piece and one musical theatre selection.

Dance (for Musical Theatre Majors)

You will be taught a short dance routine. Please bring attire that allows freedom of movement.

Acting (for Musical Theatre Majors and Theatre Majors whose focus is performing)

Please prepare a 1-2 minute memorized monologue from a published play. Select a piece that is appropriate for your age and ability. The theatre evaluator will be looking for a truthful and believable representation of the character. Show through your voice and body that you understand the character’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Non-performance (for Theatre Majors whose strength is in production work)

If you have exhibited a talent for non-performing aspects of theatre such as stage management, design, or technical production, contact Dr. Lindsey Wotanis and be prepared to discuss your experience and goals in these areas.

Do I Need to Audition?

An audition is required for BM music education, music therapy, music performance; BA arts admin/music; and BA music (musical theatre) majors. Theatre students should audition/interview with Dr. Lindsey Wotanis.

Sight-Singing and Sight-Reading

Sight-singing and sight-reading are a part of all auditions.

Suggested audition repertoire (by instrument)

Vocal

1. Art song in a language other than English
2. Classical, folk, or musical theatre selection in English

Keyboards

Piano

Two contrasting works from different compositional periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary)

Organ

1. Classical work from standard organ repertoire
2. Two verses of a traditional hymn: (1) include appropriate introduction; (2) first verse played as written; second verse may be a re-harmonization or improvisation based on first verse
3. Technique exercises (facility on manuals and pedals)

Woodwinds & Brass

• Flute; Clarinet; Saxophone; Oboe; Bassoon
• Trumpet; Horn in F; Trombone; Euphonium; Tuba

1. Be prepared to perform two excerpts, each lasting from 3-5 minutes. One excerpt should emphasize technical skill and the other should be lyrical to emphasize expressiveness. These excerpts may be taken from a concerto, sonata, or solo work.
2. Major scales ascending and descending (multiple octaves when possible) with articulations as determined by audition committee.

Percussion

Applicants should bring drum sticks and mallets and demonstrate proficiency on multiple instruments.

• Snare Drum: Concert-style snare drum solo demonstrating concert rolls, flams, ruffs
• Drum Set (Optional): drum set proficiency in swing, rock, & Latin styles

• Keyboard Percussion/Mallets: Two-mallet solo from standard repertoire required (Optional: four-mallet solo demonstrating skill level)

• Timpani: Timpani solo on at least two timpani, including rolls. Demonstrate ability to tune timpani from a given piano reference pitch

Strings

Violin; Viola; Cello; Harp; Double Bass

1. Two stylistically contrasting movements from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating performance skills as soloist
2. Major/minor scales, arpeggios (2 or 3 octaves)

Acoustic Guitar

1. Two stylistically contrasting solo pieces from standard classical repertoire
2. Major/minor scales, arpeggios (2 octaves)

Electric Bass Guitar

1. Two contrasting jazz pieces, melody
2. An improvised bass line and bass solo
3. Major/minor scales, arpeggios (2 octaves)